Special SIX MOON DESIGNS Gatewood Cape

SIX MOON DESIGNS Gatewood Cape is an excellent piece of gear. Perfect for an ultralighter looking for an affordable multiuse piece of quality gear that serves multiple functions so saves a lot of weight and packing volume. It performs 3 essential uses very well: shelter, raingear or packcover. You will get all in one piece and the weight can’t be beat.

New Gatewood Cape is now 15% lighter. Manufacturer with a new lighter canopy material have cut the weight by 2 ounces. The pack volume has also been reduced by 40%.

Six Moon designs says:
Since its introduction in 2006, the Gatewood Cape has been carried over 100’s of thousands of trail miles. It’s been used to provide shelter from everything including high mountain snowchoked ridges to lush forest trails. It’s the ONLY Tarp / Rain Gear that provides complete degree protection.The Gatewood Cape’s unique Degree Protection provides full coverage either when worn as a cape or used as a shelter. Unlike ponchos, capes don’t have long slits along the sides. While the poncho may allow for more ventilation, it does little to keep out windblown rain. Dual zipper pulls on the front of the Gatewood Cape allow you to regulate ventilation while still providing full protection. Plus, the open skirted design allows fresh air to enter the bottom.

As a shelter, the Gatewood Cape provides significantly enhanced protection when compared to your typical poncho/tarp. Its sturdy pyramid design easily sheds rain or snow and wind simply flows around it. Any sudden change in wind direction in the middle of the night won’t leave you scrambling to reorient your shelter or force you deeper into your bivy. Unlike a traditional tarp, the Gatewood Cape is shaped to eliminate all exposed sides leaving you safe and secure.

With 35 square feet of coverage under the shelter’s canopy, you’ve got plenty of room for one plus room for gear in the entry area. Depending upon conditions, you can even adjust the vestibule to different heights to increase ventilation. A long zipper on the vestibule makes opening and closing the shelter a snap. Ventilation is provided also by leaving the hood as open as the weather allows.

For the adventuresome day hiker, the Gatewood Cape makes the perfect addition to your 10 essentials survival kit. It packs down incredibly small and provides peace of mind knowing you’ve got excellent protection close at hand. 

With a practice, it can be set up in less than 1 minute, but on the other hand to get the pitch right, would takes some practice. We recommend to watch videos before.

It is an excellent choice for ultralight backpackers for multiuse gear on longer trips where every gram counts.

For added bug protection, the Gatewood Cape mates with the Serenity NetTent. Together they keep both the rain and bugs at bay. Providing you with secure and comfortable space.

Seams aren’t sealed. This shelter is made of 15D Silicone Coated Nylon that requires Gear Aid’s Seam Grip SIL Silicone Tent Sealant to seam seal and achieve complete waterproofness. It is important to note that seam sealed products can no longer be returned within 30 days. However, the product is still under warranty.
HOW TO SEAM SEAL MY TENT ACCORDING TO SIX MOON DESIGNS

MATERIAL

Canopy: 15D Silicone Coated Nylon, 

Zipper: #3 YKK

WEIGHT: 310g / 11 oz, weight does not include stakes or pole

CHARACTERISTIC

• Micro Buckles connect the harness to cape for easy installation and removal

• Full Degree protection when set up as a shelter or worn as rain gear

• Full Zippered Entrance makes entering and exiting the shelter a snap

• Adjustable Vestibule Height allows you increase ventilation while maintaining adequate rain protection

• Side Snaps for shortening the long sides when worn as a cape

• Floating Canopy allows the canopy to be set to different heights depending upon conditions

• Integrated Map / Night Stash Pocket with zipper closure to keep stuff contained. Pocket also doubles as the stuff sack

• Center Pole Support significantly improves the ability of the shelter to handle wind and snow loads

• Ultralight Waterproof Canopy is made from high strength Silicone Nylon

• Extremely Easy Setup requires only six stakes

COMPARISON OF SIX MOON DESIGNS SHELTERS